feverish

American  

[fee-ver-ish] / ˈfi vər ɪʃ /

adjective

1. having fever.

2. pertaining to, of the nature of, or resembling fever.

   a feverish excitement.

3. excited, restless, or uncontrolled, as if from fever.

   Synonyms:

   worked-up, fervent, impatient, frenzied

4. having a tendency to produce fever.

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feverish British  

/ ˈfiːvərɪʃ /

adjective

1. suffering from fever, esp a slight fever

2. in a state of restless excitement

3. of, relating to, caused by, or causing fever

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Other Word Forms

• feverishly adverb
• feverishness noun
• nonfeverish adjective
• nonfeverishness noun
• pseudofeverish adjective
• unfeverish adjective

Etymology

Origin of feverish

First recorded in 1350–1400, feverish is from the Middle English word feverisch. See fever, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

The run-up has seen none of the feverish public rallies that Suu Kyi could command, with just a smattering of low-key events.

From Barron's

Beyond paintings, objects with unique back stories including dinosaur bones and sports memorabilia also saw feverish bidding.

From The Wall Street Journal

And while her work is animated by a feverish restlessness, it’s remarkable how consistent and inimitable her artistry remained over three quarters of a century.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tearful, feverish, and scratching, she had to explain to her teacher why “Damp and Spooky: The Depiction of Grottos in Ominous Landscapes” would not be handed in on time.

From Literature

During a speaking tour of America, Charles Dickens registered his disgust at the signs and handbills he saw promoting this feverish trade nearly everywhere he went.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fevered
• frantic
• frenetic
• frenzied
• furious
• heated
• hectic
• obsessive
• passionate
• restless